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Each played fewer than 20 minutes and totaled five rebounds between them – Ward had four in 17 minutes, Goins one in 19 minutes. First-half foul problems limited Goins’ minutes, and Tom Izzo had to swap in Matt Van Dyk and Kyle Ahrens for short stints to deal with Ward’s upper respiratory issues.

In the second half, Ward and Goins held Nebraska’s starting big men – 6-foot-11 Jordy Tshimanga and 6-9 Michael Jacobson – to just seven points and six rebounds after halftime.

“That just shows what they’re capable of,” freshman Miles Bridges said. “We can’t give Nick or Kenny any slack. They’re capable of locking down bigs, even when they’re sick. When they’re not sick, I’m gonna expect a lot out of them.”

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Tom Izzo and his players say the team is playing better and with confidence after MSU's victory in Nebraska, 72-61, on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Video by Chris Solari, DFP.

TRIPLE TROUBLE: Five different Spartans hit 3-pointers as they went 11-for-17 as a team. That included 8 of 11 shooting in the second half, with Cassius Winston swishing a pair of critical ones during a 13-4 stretch in which MSU built its lead.

“I just feel like we had a great shoot-around today,” said freshman Joshua Langford, who made three of them for his nine points. “Everybody shot it really well in this gym earlier. I just felt like everybody was locked in and focused.”

Much of that came from MSU’s increased ball movement around the perimeter. Six Spartans had assists, four apiece by Winston and Eron Harris. They made extra passes that freed up shooters for better looks.

“That’s part of learning to play together,” Izzo said. “I do think we moved the ball better. … We gotta get better at it, but we are making some improvement.”

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo disputes a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) Nati Harnik, AP

Nebraska's Glynn Watson Jr. (5) runs downcourt after losing his shoe during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State in Lincoln, Neb., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) Nati Harnik, AP